The 2024 Vegas Showdown tips off on Tuesday night with a clash between the No. 1-ranked Kansas Jayhawks and the No. 11-ranked Duke Blue Devils at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Blue Devils have been the best Under team in the country going back to last season, and my Kansas vs. Duke predictions are betting on that trend to continue. Here are my free college basketball picks for this clash between blue bloods on November 26, with tip-off at 9 p.m. ET.
Kansas vs Duke prediction
My best bet
Under 149 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Duke Blue Devils have been inconsistent on offense as they build chemistry with a young core, but their elite length and athleticism have allowed them to play lockdown defense. They're first in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom, and are fresh off a road win against Arizona, where they held the Wildcats to 55 points on 40% shooting and forced 15 turnovers.
The Kansas Jayhawks are 5-0, but their offense has flaws that Duke will magnify. The Jayhawks are coming off a game where they went just 6-19 (32%) from 3-point range against UNC Wilmington, and they shot 29% from deep against Michigan State and North Carolina.
Despite having All-American center Hunter Dickinson, they're just 296th in the country in offensive rebounding rate. That will make it tough for them to put up points against a Duke team that's 20th in defensive rebounding rate and holds opponents to just 25.8% from the arc.
That said, the Jayhawks are also defending at a high level. They're 14th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and limit foes to an effective field goal percentage of 44.2%. They've shut down four of their five opponents, and while they allowed 89 points to a fast-paced UNC squad, they limited the Tar Heels to 43% from the floor and a 30% from deep.
The Blue Devils are 220th in adjusted tempo, while the Jayhawks should see regression in their pace since they've been playing significantly faster possessions than the last few years with the same lead guard. With the Under 15-4-1 in Duke's last 20 games; bet it again tonight.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game CBB moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your school goes up by 18+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Kansas vs Duke odds
Kansas vs Duke live odds
Kansas vs Duke opening odds
- Spread: Kansas +2.5 | Duke -2.5
- Moneyline: Kansas +125 | Duke -150
- Over/Under: Over 148.5 | Under 148.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Kansas vs Duke betting trend to know
Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Duke is an incredible 16-2 to the Under at neutral sites while going 12-5 to the Under against ranked opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Duke.
How to watch Kansas vs Duke
Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
Date: | Tuesday, 11-26-2024 |
Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
TV: | ESPN |
Kansas vs Duke key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.